4 mines cited for repeat problems

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has placed four mining operations in three states on notice for repeated violations of health and safety standards.

The notices were announced Wednesday for Ten-Mile Coal’s No. 4 Mine in Harrison County, W.Va.; Pike Floyd Mining’s No. 3 Mine in Pike County, Ky.; Argus Energy WV LLC’s Deep Mine No. 8 in Wayne County, W.Va.; and the Noranda Alumina Gramercy Facility in St. James County, La.

MSHA implemented new screening criteria for mines in 2010 to identify operations that have been subject to closure orders. MSHA says in a statement Wednesday that two more nonproducing mines, D&C Mining in Harlan County, Ky., and the Hecla Mining’s Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho, would be placed on notice once they return to active status.